Axe Creek Fire Brigade

12/06/2026

👩🏼‍🚒 A message from our Captain…

Thank you to Andrew Lethlean for taking the time to visit Axe Creek CFA and meet with our members.

We appreciated the opportunity to discuss the challenges facing our brigade and the ongoing need for investment in volunteer emergency services.

Our members are incredibly dedicated and continue to answer the call whenever our community needs us. While we are proud of what we achieve, we do so despite operating with limited facilities and resources. Many of our volunteers store equipment in their own vehicles and work around constraints that no modern emergency service should have to face.

We don’t ask for special treatment, only fair treatment.

Axe Creek CFA will continue to advocate for the facilities, equipment and support our volunteers need to safely protect our community, both now and into the future.

Thank you to everyone who continues to support our brigade and our volunteers. 🚒

Sheryl

Great to catch up with Sheryl and the Axe Creek CFA crew last night.

How good are our volunteers? Time and time again, they are the first to put their hands up to help others and keep our communities safe. Their dedication, commitment and willingness to serve deserve our respect and support.

I hope that after November I can do my part to help deliver the investment, resources and equipment our CFA volunteers need to continue their incredible work.

P.S. Don’t forget the “Scrap the Tax” Rally this Sunday at Tom Flood Sports Centre from 10:00am. Hope to see you there.

CFA Volunteers Group

09/06/2026

🚒💙 Today is National Thank a First Responder Day 💙🚒

Today we recognise and thank the thousands of people across Australia who answer the call when their community needs them most.

Whether it’s a fire, road accident, medical emergency, storm damage, flood, rescue, or countless other incidents, first responders step forward when others are facing some of their toughest moments.

At Axe Creek CFA, we’re proud to stand alongside our fellow emergency service agencies and volunteers who dedicate their time, skills and energy to keeping our communities safe.

A special thank you to our own brigade members and their families. Behind every volunteer is a support network that makes responding at all hours of the day and night possible.

If you see a firefighter, paramedic, police officer, SES volunteer, emergency communications operator, or any first responder today, take a moment to say thank you. Those simple words mean more than you might think.

🚒

06/06/2026

❤️🚒

🚒 Bendigo Fire Brigade Taking on the Melbourne Firefighter Stair Climb 🚒

This year, our 1st Lieutenant, Alwyn, will be taking on the 2026 Melbourne Firefighter Stair Climb in honour of Dean Mannes, a CFA volunteer from Axe Creek and career firefighter who tragically lost his life to su***de in 2023.

Dean’s passing is a powerful reminder of the importance of supporting the mental health and wellbeing of those who dedicate their lives to helping others.
Through this climb, Alwyn hopes to honour Dean’s memory while raising awareness and vital funds for causes that support firefighters, emergency service personnel, and their families.

The Melbourne Firefighter Stair Climb raises funds and awareness to help fight:
🟡 Cancer
🧠 Depression
❤️ Su***de
Every step (all 2,912) climbed and every dollar donated helps support programs and services that make a real difference in the lives of emergency service workers and their loved ones.

We are incredibly proud to support Alwyn as he takes on this challenge and carries Dean’s memory with him every step of the way.
If you are able, please consider supporting Alwyn's fundraising efforts and helping us continue the conversation around mental health, wellbeing, and support for our emergency services community.
Together, we can honour Dean’s legacy, raise awareness, and help ensure that no one faces these challenges alone.
💛 Thank you for your support.🚒💪💛

https://www.firefighterclimb.org.au/climber/alwynskilbeck/

04/05/2026

Standing ready. Standing together. 🔥🚒

This International Firefighters’ Day, we’re proud to recognise the incredible crew behind Axe Creek, a team built on courage, commitment, and community.

Every call they answer, every hour they volunteer, and every life they help protect makes a difference that goes far beyond the fireground.

Today we say thank you to these local legends and to firefighters everywhere who show up when it matters most. ❤️

10/04/2026

12/02/2026

Congratulations Mick.

Recognising 30 Years of Service – Mick Lavery

On Wednesday 11 February 2026, I was pleased to present Mick Lavery with his 30 Year CFA Service Award at District 4 Headquarters.

Mick’s career has been defined by his professionalism, positive attitude, and steady leadership across a wide range of operational and community safety roles. From his beginnings as a volunteer with Axe Creek Brigade, through service at multiple stations, instructor contributions at Fiskville, and senior leadership roles across CFA and FRV, Mick has made an outstanding impact over three decades.

We are also grateful for Mick’s current support in District 4 while filling the Assistant Chief Fire Officer role.

Congratulations Mick, and thank you for 30 years of dedication and service to CFA and the community.

10/02/2026

A Total Fire Ban has been declared for the Central, Mallee, North Central, North East, Northern Country, West & South Gippsland and Wimmera districts for Wednesday 11 February 2026.

No fires can be lit, or be allowed to remain alight, in the open air from 12:01 AM until 11:59 PM.

More information is available at www.cfa.vic.gov.au/firebans

06/02/2026

Today marks the anniversary of the Black Saturday bushfires — one of the darkest and most defining days in Victoria’s history, and a day that continues to shape the CFA and every brigade within it.

On 7 February 2009, extreme heat, fierce winds and rapidly escalating fire behaviour created conditions that were unprecedented.
173 lives were lost, thousands were injured, and entire communities were forever changed.

For CFA members across the state — volunteers, staff, and their families — Black Saturday is not just a date on the calendar.
It is a reminder of bravery, sacrifice, and the true meaning of service.

Today, our brigade pauses to honour:
- Those who lost their lives
- The families and communities still carrying the weight of that day
- The CFA volunteers, career firefighters, police, SES, Paramedics and support crews who responded under impossible conditions
- The strength of the communities who rebuilt, supported each other, and refused to give up
Black Saturday continues to guide how we prepare, how we train, and how we support our community.

It reinforces why fire safety messaging matters, why readiness is essential, and why we never become complacent.

As we pause to reflect, we ask our community:

Where were you on that day?

A simple question, but one that reminds us how clearly the memories of 7 February 2009 still live within so many.

As a brigade, we stand with all those affected — and with all CFA members who served on that tragic day.
We honour your courage, your resilience, and your unwavering commitment to protecting others.

If reflecting brings up difficult memories and emotions, please remember that support is available.

You are not alone.

Lifeline: 13 11 14
Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
Or speak with a trusted friend, family member, or health professional.

We will never forget.

01/02/2026

A great morning at the station! 🚒
A great big thanks to Strath Hill Butcher who donated some amazing food for our BBQ 🥰🥰🥰
Another big thank you to Lana May Photography - New for popping by to take some pics of our team😎😎